Thierry Henry hails Cristiano Ronaldo’s vital change to inspire Portugal at World Cup

Thierry Henry has reversed his critical outlook on Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup 2026 performance by hailing a vital change in the 5-0 win over Uzbekistan.

The former France international, a World Cup winner in 1998, took aim at the 41-year-old for a perceived selfish approach against DR Congo, with a run blocking a potential chance for Bruno Fernandes.

“The team needs to score, not you need to score,” Henry previously said, but Ronaldo stood up in Houston with two goals and an assist to boost Portugal’s hopes of finishing top of Group K.

And one particular moment impressed Henry, with Ronaldo stepping aside in the first half to allow Nuno Mendes to take a free-kick, with the Paris Saint-Germain left-back scoring to justify the decision.

“It's so important, an offside position, if you cross to him, it can be a tap-in,” Henry said on Fox Sports. “Offside, then you make the team defend the box, then you arrive, not like the other day, he attacks the first post.

Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal applauds fans after the team's 5-0 victory (Getty)

“And score. It's what happens when you play like that. Look at him walking, Van Nistelrooy used to do that at Man United, to make sure when the ball comes you're in front of everyone, and maybe you can score, he didn't, but it's a great tactic.

“If one thing I wanted to mention, I said, the team has to score, not you, I love what he did at the free-kick, yes, he surprised everybody, it's a team spirit guy, it's how you lead your team and you share. Well done. It's what I like to see, Ronaldo or my Dad.”